First of all, there is no motor needed for foiling. Wind, wave or pump power is enough to stay up on foil. An initial push is helpful from a wave or wind, but even that is becoming increasingly not necessary as dock starts and flat water starts become more attainable. Smaller portable motors are also becoming more popular with advanced riders to help catch even smaller swell.

There is a lot to learn when first getting into foiling as a sport.  We like to start by asking what discipline you are looking to get into: prone surf, SUP, wing, downwind, kite, windsurf, wake, or tow.  The board and foil are typically very different based on the discipline as well as expected conditions.  

The right gear, the right conditions, and some qualified guidance will definitely shorten the learning curve, as will a foil lesson or two behind a boat or on an electric foilboard (e-foil).  Then each discipline often requires a new humbling effort of ‘putting in the time’ in order to start feeling comfortable.